Abstract
The development of sustainable hydropower, a renewable source, is an essential need of any developing country.
Presently, the generating installed capacity is only about 27% of hydropower potential i.e., about 48 GW. The pace of Hydropower development in India has slowed down especially in last few decades. Slow development is primarily attributed to long gestation period, lack of funds, complex geology of the projects etc. Therefore, to meet country's energy demand at faster pace, development of mega hydropower projects is required, which warrants the need of innovative practices in construction & design aspects integrating project management, engineering and quality management tools & techniques, as key to success for making up the loss, as far as possible. The pioneering practices in discipline of construction & design are blended and incorporated in an innovative hydropower model, envisaged for accelerated development of hydropower.
For having an insight of the model for hydropower projects, it may be split into the four aspects i.e. Technical, Financial, Policy and Infrastructure. A typical triangular shaped model proposed as “7M MODEL” is being devised based on the experiences learnt during the planning, execution and operation of successful Mega hydro-electric projects. The 7M model is well knit structure, which would ensure timely and successful completion of any Hydro-electric project involving various aspects on technical, financial, infrastructure and policy matters. The 7 M's of 7 M model are Master Planning, Money, Manpower, Machinery/Material, Moment, Monitoring and Mid-course correction, which steers the fate of project. It can definitely play a lead role for setting up of blue print towards accelerated harnessing of hydropower potential and ensure the path of achieving the dream of 100% exploitation of hydropower potential.
This 7M model is time tested which is the backbone of a success story in construction and commissioning of mega hydroelectric project in Bhutan i.e. Tala hydroelectric project (1020 MW), the project located in the toughest ruggid terrain of Himalayas, besides backed up by similar numerous projects. The mega hydroelectric projects in pipeline i.e., Punatsangchhu-I (1200 MW) and Punatsangchhu-II (1020 MW) in Bhutan which are targeted to be completed on scheduled timeframes are also following the similar principles of 7M Model.
Therefore, the 7M Model well integrating state-of-the-art innovative practices adopted in construction & design aspects may be viewed as a typical role model for ensuring accelerated hydropower development all across the nation, irrespective of the magnitude or complexity of project.